Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Dhan Mata Sahib Kaur Ji

A SHORT GLIMPSE AT THE LIFE OFMATA SAHIB KAUR JEE- MOTHER OF THE KHALSA -

Birth house of Mata Sahib Devan at Rohtas, Jhelum

In Sikh history Mata Sahib Kaur is known as the Mother of the Khalsa. This honour was bestowed upon her by the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. When a Sikh receives the gift of Khande Dee Pauhul (Amrit), he/she is told that from today onward your father is Guru Gobind Singh Ji and you mother is Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.

Childhood

Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, whose name before taking Amrit was Mata Sahib Devan Ji, was born on the 1st November 1681 in a village called Rohtas, District Jehlum, in West Panjab, (now in Pakistan). Her mother’s name was Mata Jasdevi Ji and father’s name was Bhai Rama Ji. Her father, who was an ardent sewak (devotee) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, influenced her to the extent that she wanted to devote her whole life in the service of the Guru Sahib. From her childhood, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji was a sweet and quiet natured girl. Because of the religious atmosphere at home, she was deeply influenced by Gurbaani during her formative years. It is possible that in her childhood she might have seen Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib during the visit of her family. She had inherited humility, love and sacrifice to humanity and devotion to Waheguru.

Becoming a member of the Guru's FamilyWhen she came of age, her father and other devotees of village Rohtas, took her to Sri Anandpur Sahib and requested Guru Gobind Singh Ji to take her as his bride. Guru Ji told the Sangat that he was already married and could not marry again. However, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji's father had pledged his daughter to Guru Sahib and no-one else would marry her now. Therefore, Guru Sahib agreed that Mata Sahib Kaur Ji could stay with the Guru's family, however, they could not marry or ever have children. Guru Sahib instead promised Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, that you will become a great Mother to thousands. Mata Sahib Kaur Ji lived in the Guru's household and served Guru Ji and the Sangat with full shardaa (devotion).

Great Sevaa of Mata JeeMata Sahib Kaur Ji accompanied Guru Sahib throughout his life, even during battles, serving him in every possible way. On Vaisakhi 1699, in the first Amrit-Sanchaar, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji participated in the sewa of the Amrit-Sanchaar by adding Pataasey (sugar wafers) to the Amrit, and was bestowed the honour of eternal motherhood of Khalsa Panth. Mata Ji guided the Khalsa Panth through period of crisis many times and issued eight decrees in the name of Khalsa.

Final YearsWhen Guru Gobind Singh reached Abchal Nagar (Sri Hazoor Sahib), he sent Mata Sahib Kaur Ji to Delhi and gave her five weapons of the Sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, for safekeeping. These weapons are today displayed at Gurdwara Rakabganj in Delhi. Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, passed away before Mata Sundri Ji. She left for heavenly abode at the age of sixty six in 1747 and her last rites were performed in Bala Sahib, Delhi.

Bhai ji some one told me last week that it isn't mata sahib kaur ji who added the pataasey to the amrit, they said it was bibi jeeto Kaur ji: Guru ji's first wife.Is that true?Or are those just new rumours?

Bhai ji some one told me last week that it isn't mata sahib kaur ji who added the pataasey to the amrit, they said it was bibi jeeto Kaur ji: Guru ji's first wife.Is that true?Or are those just new rumours?

I am personally not familiar with any story that suggests Mata Sahib Kaur jee did not put Pataase in Amrit and instead it was Mata Jito Ji.

When we take Amrit we are told Mata Sahib Kaur Jee is the mother of the Khalsa. It makes logical sense that it was Mata Sahib Kaur jee who helped with Amrit.

I have also heard that some websites claim Mata Sahib Kaur jee was not even Amritdhari and that she was not even present in the Vaisakhi of 1699 and that Guru Gobind Singh jee meets her later in history.

Secondly, if Mata Sahib Kaur jee was not even there in 1699 then we can assume that Guru Gobind Singh jee said, "From this day on your (spiritual) Father is Guru Gobind Singh Jee)..." and no mention of Mother. So when did the mention of "From now your father is Guru Gobind Singh and mother Mata Sahib Kaur jee" come into existence? Where is the Hukamnama sent to the Panth that "sangat jee, we would like to notify you that from now on if anyone takes Amrit their mother is Mata Sahib Kaur jee"?

Mata Sahib Devan had'nt yet arrived at Anandpur at the time of Baisakhi 1699 AD. She arrived on 5 Savan, Sambat 1758 Bikrami ( 1701 AD) July 20 (Piara Singh Padam, Gobind Sagar, Patiala, 1991, Page 141.). She was not named 'Sahib Kaur' until late nineteenth or early twentieth century when Singh Sabha leaders particularly Kahn Singh Nabha gave her ,Kaur name and persuaded Macauliff also to do so in his book Sikh Religion. Even Bhai Vir Singh writing his famous novel mentioned Mata Sahib Devan to be mother of the newly baptised hero of the novel, Sundari. Above all we have the evidence of several Hukamnamas of Mata Sahib Devan written after 1720 to several Sikhs where she write her name as Sahib Devi.

WJKK WJKF. Under vested interests and deep conspiracies, some powers having been trying since past to ruin the Sikh History and create a number of doubts over credibility of Sikh History. Some Sikh & Sikhism historians have also been acting adversely, knowingly or unknowingly, may be under pressure or any kind of selfishness etc. There is deepest need for clearing all such doubts by writing correct History with forming of an Honest Institution, dedicated totally towards it, for crystal clear Sikhism, formed for Humanity for our Honorable Guru Jee. WJKK WJKF.

For Every Child that is born there is only one mother and one father. This is as per the Hukam of Waheguru Ji. So don’t be confused, since it must have been the desire of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji to have children of her own, as is natural with any woman so the ever so thoughtful father Guru Gobind Singh was not unfamiliar with her desire. Thus told her that she would be the mother of the Khalsa Panth. So where Khalsa Panth was the child, Guru Gobind Singh Ji is the father and Mata Sahib Kaur is the mother.Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.